HBA-MPM H.B. 2150 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2150
By: Kitchen
Public Health
3/28/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the state of Texas is unable to allow individuals applying for
the state child health insurance program (CHIP) to submit an application
over the Internet.  Doing so might be more efficient for both applicants
and the state.  House Bill 2150 requires the Health and Human Services
Commission to develop and implement an online application systems for those
who wish to apply for CHIP. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Health and Human Services
Commission in SECTION 2 (Section 62.1031, Health and Safety Code) of this
bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2150 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Health and
Human Services Commission (HHSC) to permit an application requesting
coverage through the state child health plan (CHIP) to be made through the
Internet.   

The bill requires HHSC in cooperation with the Texas Department of Human
Services (DHS) to develop and implement as soon as practicable after
September 1, 2001 and no later than January 1, 2002 a generally accessible
and interactive web-based application system (system) for use in
determining eligibility for and enrolling children in CHIP.  The bill
specifies that the system must provide a person accessing the Internet site
with the ability to request CHIP coverage in a manner that allows the
applicant to receive an immediate electronic response regarding the child's
apparent eligibility for CHIP and to submit a completed application
electronically to the state for subsequent verification procedures and
eligibility determination confirmation.  The bill requires HHSC to design
the system so that it is user-friendly and interactive, provides users with
immediate feedback and online assistance, and enables users to print an
application form or completed application for CHIP coverage from a local
printer at the Internet access site.  The bill requires HHSC in designing
the system to solicit information from families of potential applicants and
address their concerns to the extent possible. 

The bill requires each health and human services agency and any other
appropriate state agency to cooperate with HHSC to the extent necessary to
enable HHSC to develop and implement the system.  The bill requires HHSC to
adopt rules necessary to implement the system. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.